Heater



April 15, 1952 T. H. SHERMAN 2,592,608

HEATER Filed Dec. 1. 1945 f5 sham-sheet 1 ATTORNEY 'I BY'.

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April l5, 1952 T. H. SHRMAN HEATER 5 sheets-sheet s Filed Dec. 1. 1945 INVENTOR 77eAcY /z//l /l/ /1 5MP/eng; ATTORNEY April 15, 1952 Filed Dec. l, 1945 T. H. SHERMAN HEATER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 WPA cY H. Snc-WAN April 15, 1952 T. H. SHERMAN 2,592,608

HEATER Filed DBC. l, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Apr. `15, 1952 HEATER,

Tracy H. Sherman, South Nyack,.N. Y., assignor to Foster Wheeler Corporation, New York, Y., a.` corporation `of New York Application December 1, 1945, Serial No. 632,159

Claims. l

This` invention relates to heaters and more particularly pertains to uid `heating apparatus ofthe .type `in, which the fluid to be heated is passed` through tubular members in heat exchangerelationship with a stream of products ofcombustion.

The `present invention `provides, a heater usedin theconversion of fluidsparticularly in the conversion of hydrocarbonoil. Uniform heating of the tubular membersboth circumferentiallyand longitudinally is. provided in the heater of the presentinvention `whichiheater is efficient and of relatively simple construction.

The invention will be understood fromA thei'ollowing description when, considered in. connection withtheaccompanyng drawings forming a part thereof, and ,in which:

Fig. 1 .is avertical sectional view of a heater embodying` the` invention taken on the line I-I of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a` sectional `plan view taken on the lineZ-Z of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3` is `a longitudinal Vsectional .view taken onrthe line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 isA a sectional view taken on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a View somewhat similar to Fig. 3 but` of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. `6 is a sectional plan view taken on the lineiI-Giof Fig.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig'. 1 but of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 isvan enlarged view of a portion of the upper partofthe heater of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9` is a sectional view taken on the line 9.-9 of Fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig.` 8 but of a further embodiment of the invention.

Like characters `of reference refer to the same or tosimilar parts` throughoutthe several views.

Referring uto the drawings, reference character I0l designates. the setting of a heater suitable for the heating of liquids such as hydrocarbon oils and `the like, although it is not limited to the heating of such oils but is useful in the heating of a wide variety `oi? liquids, vapors and gases. The setting I0, as shown, is` generally rectangular shaped in transverse` cross section and comprises oppositely disposed refractory side Walls II` and I2 and opposite end walls I3 and I4, said side and end walls forming a combustion chamber I5. A depressed iioor I5 is at the bottom of the chamber and has, as shown, horizontally spacedburners I'I disposedtherein intermediate the .side walls II `and I2,.said burners being so positioned as to. direct a stream of products oi' combustion generally vertically upwardly in the chamber. The heater is supported by a plurality of girders` I8. The upper portion I9 ofthe wall II and the upper portion 20 of the Wall I2` are bothoffset inwardly toward the chamber I5 from the lower portion of said walls, below` said upper portions.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to `4, arow of spaced generally vertically extending tubular members 2| is disposed along the side wall II in spaced relationship to the inner surface of the upper portion I9 of the wall I I and the inner surface ofthe remainder of said wall. The tubular members 2|. are connected to an upper header 22 at one end thereof and to a lower header` 23at the opposite end. A similar row of tubular members 25 is disposed along the side wall I2 in spaced relationship to the inner surface of both the upper and lower portions of said side wall. The tubular members 25 are connected atthe upper end to a header 26 and at the lower end to `a header 2l. Upper headers 22 and 26 are enclosed in header boxes 28 and 29, respectively, while lower headers 23 and 2l are enclosed respectively in similar header boxes 30 and 3l. rIfubular members 2I and 25 are substantially equidistant from the burners I'1.

A combustion gas directing bale 32 is disposed in the upper part of the chamber I5 in the path of flow of the gases of combustion from the burners I'I. The baiiie comprises a substantially horizontally extending central portion 33 and side sections 34 and 35 which extend obliduely downwardly from the central portion. A substantially vertically extending wall 3B adjoins the section 34 and extends upwardly adjacent the upper portion I9 of the wall II the wall 36 being in spaced relationship with the tubular members 2l and the upper portion of the wall I9 so as to form a convection heating chamber 31. A wall 38 similar to the wall 36 adjoins the sections 35 and extends upwardly therefrom in spaced rela- .tionship to the upper portion 20 fof the wall I2 and the tubular members 25 to form a convection heating chamber 39. The baffle 3.2 and the walls 36 and 38 extendlengthwise of the chamber I5 to a point shortef the end walls I3 and I4 to form gas passages 40 and 4I adjacent` walls I3 and I4, respectively, which passages are in communication with the furnace chamber I5.and also with `the convection chambers 3'! and 39. The battle 32 andwalls36 and 38 may be formed of a single piece of refractory or may be formed of separate pieces, as shown, which are secured together in any desired manner. rods 42, which are connected at one end to the baille 32 and at the opposite end to the girders I8 by suitable crossbeams, not shown, support the baille and maintain it in position. Convection chambers 31 and 39 are in communication with a flueA 43 through gas outlet conduits 44 and 45, respectively, which conduits are in communication with the convection chambers 31 and 39 at a point intermediate the opposite ends of said chambers. The convection chambers 31 and 39 are closed at the top thereof by upper tube sheets 46 and 41, respectively, and are closed at the bottom thereof by lower tube sheets 48 and 49, respectively.

The rows of tubular members 2l and 25 may be arranged in as many passages as desired. As shown in Fig. 2, oil enters the row of tubular members 25 through the inlet conduits 59 and 5I at opposite ends of the row Vand is discharged.

from the discharge outlets '52 and 53, respectively, lat intermediate points in the row, while Huid tobe heated-in the row of tubular members 2| enters-said row through the inlet conduits 54 and 55 at opposite ends of the row and is discharged through outlet conduits 58 and 51, respectively, at intermediate points in the row.

1 In operation, gases of combustion from the burners I1 nowY upwardly in the chamber I 5 and inY heat exchange relationship with-the portion of the tubular members 2| and 25 below the baflie 32. The gases of combustion impinge upon the baffle r32 andare directed downwardly by the sections 34 and 35 and toward said tubular members. The gases thereafter how outwardly of the chamber I through the gas passages 49 and 4I. Gases from the passages 40 and 4I pass into the convection chambers 31 and 39, flowing substantially horizontally in said chambers over and in heat exchange relationship with the-upper portion of the tubular members 2| andy 25 from points adjacent the end walls I3 and I4, respec tively, toward the gas outlet conduits-44 and 45V thereafter to enter said conduits'and flow'out wardly through the flue 43. Temperature of the gases in the convection chambers V31 and 39 may be controlled to control the heating of uid in the` tubular members 2l and 25 by admitting cooling air to said chambers.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figs.r 5 and 6, the tubular members are disposed alongthe end w-alls I 3 and I4 as Well as along the sideV walls I I and I2. The wall I4 has a row of tubular members 58 disposed Vin spaced relationship. thereto, while a `row of tubular members `51 is disposed along the side wall I3 in spaced relation- 'ship thereto. In this embodiment of. the invention, the upper portion of the `walls I3 and I4. have an offset portion similar to the portions I9 and 20 of the side walls II and I2. A balde-58 is positioned in the upper part of the chamber I5 and is supported by rods 24. Baflle 58 has opposite Vside walls 59 and '60 and opposite end wallsy 6I and 62, the side walls 59 and 69 being in spaced relationship to the upper` portion of the side walls III and I2 to form the convection chambers 31.

SupportingF 54, respectively, intermediate the opposite ends thereof. The tubular members 56 and '51 are in communication with upper headers 31 and 68, respectively, which headers are in communication at opposite ends thereof with upper headers 2`2 and 29 which headers are in communication with the tubular members 2| and-2 5, respectively. The convection chambers 63 and `S4 are closed at the top thereof by the tube sheets 99 and 18, respectively, and are closed at the bottom thereof by the tube sheets 1I and 12, respectively.

Gases from the convection chamber 31 pass outwardly thereof through a gas outlet conduit 13 disposed intermediate the end walls 6I and 62 of the baiiie `59, -while gases of combustion from the convection chamber 39 flow outwardly thereof through a similar gas outlet conduit 14. The gas outlet conduits 13 and 14 are in communication with a iiue 15 through which gases pass outwardly of the setting. Y Y A The operation ofthe form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6 is similar to the operation of. the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Gases flowing substantially vertically upwardly in the chamber I5 pass in heat exchange relationship withthe p ortion of tubular members 2I 25, 59 and 51 below baiile 58, thereafter to impinge upon the bottom Vof the barile 58 and ovw 'outwardly of the chamber E5 through the outlet passages 65 and 56.` .Gases flowing through the outlet 65 pass into the-convection chamber 63, part of said gases flowing generally horizontally in said chamber in convection heat exchange relationship with the upper portionv of some of the tubes. 56. and thence into the convection section 31 flowing therein generally horizontally in convection heat exchange relationship with `the upper portion of some of the tubes 2|, thereafter passing out of the chamber 31 through the gas outlet conduit 13. Other of the gases entering the convection chamber 63 through the A outlet passage 65 flow generally horizontally over the upper portion of other of the tubes 56 passing into the. convection chamber 39 to flow generally horizontally therein in convection heat exchange relationship with the upper portion of tubular members 25 thereafter passing outwardly ofsaid chamber through the ges outlet conduit 14. Gases flowing outwardly ofthe chamber I5 through the gas outlet passage |68 enter the convection chamber 84 in `which part of said gases flOW generally horizontally in the chamber 64 thence into the convection chamber 319 whence they pass into the gas outlet conduit 14while other of the gases entering the convection chamber v54 from the passage G6 flow horizontally in the chamber 64 .thence into the chamber 31 whence they pass into the gas outlet passage 13.

. rlhe gases Vflowing in the chamber 63, 64 31 and 39 39 is partly vertical and 'partly horizontal.

ilow generally horizontally therein and pass in convection heat exchange relationship with the upper portion of tubes '56, '51, 2l and 25 in said sections respectively. Y

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 9 is somewhat similar to the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. l to 4 but the flow of gases of combustion from the furnace chamber I5 in the convection chambersrt'i and Referring to Fig. 7, the baiile 32 extends the entire length of the chamber I5 instead of terminating short of the end Walls as in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 while the lower tube sheets 48 and 49, which form the bottom ofv the chambers 31 and 39 respectively, are

5, omitted so thatigases fromthe chamber I enter chambers 3T and :3S at `the bottom thereof toA flowA vertically upwardly ltoward the top` of said chambers. .Aplurality` of rows of refractory tiles 'I5 are positionedin the chambers 31 ,and 39 in superposed relationship to one anotheradjacent the upper part oftubularmembers 21| 'and 25, said tiles being supported-at the bottom by angles 'il and extending upwardly in the convectionrchambersto a point short `of the'top of i saidl chambers to form a' horizontally.: extending passage T8 `adjacentithe top ofthe chamber 31 'andaihorizontally extending passage T9 :adjacent the `top of the chamber 39. horizontally `between the `opposite end walls i3 and I4 of the heater setting. The tiles 16 are positioned in thespaces between tubes2| and between tubes and have semi-circular cut-out` portions-andf adjacent the tubes, saidcutout portions being concentric to the tubes and having a larger radius than the radius of the tubes so that a vertical circular passage 8| is formed around each tube, the inner surface of said vertical passage being concentric to -the tube, extending around the entireperiphery of a tube closely adjacent thereto. `Thehorizontally extending passages i8 and 19 are in communication intermediate the opposite ends thereof with gas outlet conduits 82 and83 respectively, which conduits are connectedto aue 84.

In operation, the gasesolf combustion flowing generally vertically upwardly in the .chamber i5 in heat exchange relationship with the `tubular members 2| and 25 in said'chamberiimpinge upon the barile 32, `the obliquesideisections 34 and 35 directing the gases toward-tubes 2| and 25, respectively, andtoward the inlet to `the `vertical passages 3| around the tubes 2| and 25. Gases from the chamber l5 enter the passages 81| and flow vertically upwardly therein in heat exchange relationship withthe portion of the tubular members in the chambers 31 and239. Since `the passages 8| are circular and concentric to the tubes which they surround, heat iiows evenly around the entire circumference of the portion-of `each` tube, within the passages. Heat is radiated evenly from the wall of eaohpassage `to the entire circumference of thetubewhichuitsurrounds. Gases from the `passages 8| flow into the horizontally extending passages 18 and llthereafter to pass in a general horizontal direction in heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members` 2| and 25 in the passages i8 and le toward the gas outlet conduits 8,2 and 83, respectively. From the vconduits `82 and 83 the gases flow outwardly of the setting through the nue 84.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. l0 which is somewhat similar-to the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 19, the semi-circularcutout portions 8|] and 80 of the tiles 16 are `of larger radiuscin the lowermost tiles of'eachrow than the radius of thecut-outportionszoland 80 of thev uppermost tiles of each row. The` passage 8.| will, therefore, havera lower rportion85 of` greater diameter than the upper portion 86.tl1ereof. The cut-out portions 80 and 8G ofzanintermediate tile 81 have aitapered surface forming a frusto-conical shaped `passage 88 `between the lower portion andthe upper portion 86 of the passage 8|. In this` form of the invention, as the gases lose heat. iniflowingthrough the lpassages 8|, the area of` said passages decreases thereby increasingA the mass velocity of the i gases and'heat transfer Ytoftheiportiontof the tubular The chambers 'I8` and T9; extend members in the .upper `portion vof the passage. As in the form ofthe invention shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the `passage 8| .is concentric to the tube whichipasses through it, the innersurface of said vertical passage extending around` the entire periphery of the tubular member closely adjacent thereto.

Changes may be made in the form,` location and relative arrangement of the several parts of theheater disclosed and many embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It will be understood Athat theinvention is not to be limitedexcepting by the scope of the `appended claims,

What is claimed is:

l. A furnace for heating fluids comprising a setting havingspaced side walls and spaced end wallsforming a rectangular shape furnace chamber, a row of spaced generally vertically extending tubular members in the chamber along at least one wall thereof and in `spaced relationship therewith, a passage wall extending along said at least one wallto points short of the setting walls at the opposite ends of said one wall and in spaced relationship to said at least one wall and said row of tubular members, the passage wall being disposed adjacent one end of the tubular` members on the furnace chamber side thereof thereby forming in part a narrow gas passage around said one end portion of the row of tubular members, partition means at the top and bottom of the passage closing the passage along said top and bottom thereby separating said passage from thefurnace chamber, means for producing a stream of products of combustion which fiows generally vertically and mainly in radiant heat exchange relationship with the portion of thetubular members in said furnace chamber, a baille adjacent said passage wall and in the path of flow of said stream of gases of combustion, said baiiie extending in the same direction as the row of tubes to points short of the walls of said setting at the opposite ends of said one wall, the barile being formed to direct gases toward a portion of the tubular members in the furnace chamber, gas outlet means for the furnace in communication with said gas passage intermediate the oppositeends thereof, the arrangement being such that gases from the furnace chamber enter said gas passage adjacent said walls at opposite ends of said one wall and iiow generally horizontally mainly in convection heat exchange relationship with the portionof the tubular members in said gas passage in flowing to the gas outlet means for the furnace.

2. A furnace for heatinguidslcomprising a setting having spaced side walls and spaced end walls forming a rectangular shaped furnace chamber,a row of spaced generally vertically eX- tending tubular `members in the chamberalong at least one wall thereof and in spaced relationship therewith, a passage wall extending along said at least one wall to points short of the setting walls at thefopposite ends of, said one wall and in spaced relationship to said at least one wall and said.1o'\1v ofVV tubular members, the passage disposed to direct a stream of productsl of combustion generally vertically upwardly in said furnace chamber in heat exchange relationship with the portion ofV the tubular members in said chamber, a baille adjacent said passage wall and in the path of flow of said stream of gases of combustion, said bafe extending in the same direction as the row of tubes to points short of the walls of said setting at the opposite ends of said one wall, the baffle being formed to direct gases obliquely downwardly toward a portion of the tubular members in the furnace chamber, gas outlet means for the furnace in communication with said gas passage intermediate the opposite ends thereof, the arrangement being such that lgases from the furnace chamber enter said gas passage adjacent said setting walls at opposite ends of said one wall and flow generally horizontally in heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members in said gas passage in flowing to the gas outlet means for the furnace.

3. A furnace for heating fluids comprising a setting having spaced side walls and spaced end walls forming a rectangular shaped furnace chamber, a row of spaced generally vertically extending tubular members disposed in the chamber along opposite side walls and in spaced relationship therewith, means forming a narrow generally horizontally extending gas passage around the upper portion of each of said row of tubular members, said passages comprising a partition wall opposite each side wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship with the side wall and the tubular members, said partition walls being disposed on the furnace chamber side of said tubular members, a bottom wall at the bottom of the passage closing the space between each side wall and the partition wall opposite thereto, and a top wall at the top of the passage closing the space between each side wall and the partition wall at the top of the passage, said gas passages having gas inlet openings adjacent the opposite end walls of the setting, burner means in the bottom of said furnace chamber, said burner means being disposed a substantially equal distance from the tubular members of each of said rows and to direct a stream of gases in a general vertically upwardly direction in the furnace chamber in heat exchange relationship with the tubular members in said chamber, gas outlet means for the furnace in communication with each of said horizontal gas passages intermediate the opposite ends of said passages, the arrangement being such that gases from the furnace chamber enter the gas openings of the gas passages and flow in mainly convection heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members in said gas passages in flowing to the gas outlet means for the furnace.

4. A furnace for heating fluids comprising a setting having spaced side walls and spaced end walls forming a rectangular shaped furnace chamber, a row of spaced generally vertically extending tubular members disposed in the chamber along each of said opposite side walls and in spaced relationship therewith, means forming a narrow generally horizontally extending gas passage around the upper portion of each of said rows of tubular members, said passages comprising a partition wall opposite each side wall substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship with the side wall and the tubular members, said partition walls being disposed on the furnace chamber side of said tubular members, a bottom wall at the bottom of the passage closing the space between each side wall and the partition wall opposite thereto, and a top wall at the top of the passage closing the space between each side wall and the partition wall at the top of the passage, said gas passages having gas inlet openings adjacent the opposite end walls of said setting, burner means in the bottom of said furnace chamber, said burner means being disposed a substantially equal distance from the tubular members of each of said rows and positioned to direct a stream of gasses of combustionV in a generally vertical upwardly direction in the furnace chamber in heat exchange relationship with the tubular membersV in said chamber, a baffle at the upper end of the furnacev chamber adjacent said passages and in the path of flow of said stream of gases of combustion, said batlie extending in the same direction as the rows of tubular members to points short of the opposite end walls of said setting, the baiiie being formed Y to directV gases downwardly toward a portion of the tubular members in the furnace chamber and toward the opposite end walls of the setting, gas outlet means for the furnace in communication with each of said horizontal gas passages intermediate the opposite ends of said passages, the arrangement being such that gases from the furnace chamber enter the gas openings at opposite ends of the horizontal gas passages and flow generally horizontally in heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members in said gas passages in flowing to the gas outlet means for the furnace.

5. In heating apparatus for heating fluids, a furnace chamber, a plurality of generally vertically extending tubular members adjacent the inner periphery of said chamber and in spaced relationship thereto, means forming a narrow generally horizontally extending gas passage, said passage comprising a side wall coextensive with only a part of said inner periphery, the side wall being positioned opposite and substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship with said inner periphery and the tubular members, and being disposed on the furnace chamber side of the tubular members, a bottom wall at the bottom of the passage extending between said inner periphery of said enclosing wall and said side wall and in fluid-tight relationship therewith thereby closing the space between said periphery and the side wall in a fluid-tight manner, and a top wall at the top of the passage extending between said inner periphery of said enclosing wall and said side wall and in a fluid-tight relationship therewith thereby closing the space between said periphery and the side wall at the top of the passage in a fluid-tight manner, said passage being open at at least one end thereof to provide a gas inlet opening for the passage in communication with the furnace chamber, means for producinga stream of products of combustion which flows generally vertically and mainly in radiant heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members in said furnace chamber, gas outlet means for the heating apparatus in communication with said gas passage so as to receive gases after flow thereof from said gas inlet opening through the passage, the point of communication of the gas outlet means with said passage being horizontally spaced longi tudinally of the passage from the gas inlet opening such distance that the gases flow from said inlet opening to said outlet means in a generally horizontal direction in the passage transversely of mainly in convection heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members in said horizontal gas passage, the gases in the passage flowing in a generally horizontal direction.

6. In heating apparatus for heating fluids, a furnace chamber, a plurality of generally vertically extending tubular members spaced from the inner periphery of the chamber and having a portion at least thereof in said chamber, means forming a narrow generally horizontally extending gas passage, said passage comprising a side wall opposite said inner periphery substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship with said inner periphery and the tubular members and being disposed on the furnace chamber side of the tubular members. a bottom wall at the bottom of the passage extending between said inner periphery of said enclosing wall and said side wall and in fluid-tight relationship therewith thereby closing the space between said periphery and the side Wall at the bottom of the passage in a duid-tight manner, and a top Wall at the top of the passage extending between said inner periphery of said enclosing wall and said side wall and in a fluid-tight relationship therewith thereby closing the space between said periphery and the side Wall at the top of the passage in a fluid-tight manner, said gas passage having the opposite ends thereof open to provide gas inlet l0 openings for the passage in communication with the furnace chamber, means for producing a stream of products of combustion which flows generally vertically and mainly in radiant heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members in said furnace chamber, gas outlet means for heating apparatus in communication with said gas passage intermediate the opposite ends thereof to receive gases after flow thereof in the passage, the arrangement of the gas inlet opening and the gas outlet means being such that the gases in the passage flow transversely of and mainly in convection heat exchange relationship with the portion of the tubular members in said horizontal gas passage, the gases iiowing in a generally horizontal direction.

TRACY H. SHERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,737,173 Pratt Nov, 26, 1929 1,881,275 Huff Oct. 4, 1932 2,228,938 Wood Jan. 14, 1941 2,375,505 Throckmorton et al. May 8, 1945 

